Ceasefire: R-ARCSS
Implementations
Ceasefire – 2018
The signatories declared a permanent ceasefire in the agreement from the date of signing.
The JMEC (Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission) 15-day implementation report noted fighting in Central Equatoria and Unity states in September.[1] The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) was formed and began investigating violations.[2] Importantly, President Kiir reportedly ordered the armed forces to abide by the ceasefire in response to initial violations.[3]
The JMEC 30-day implementation report noted that the “CTSAMVM has reported a marked decline in fighting across the country except in Yei River State,” where fighting was ongoing. However, the report notes that the initiator was an alliance of non-signatory groups identified as the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SWAKA-SSOA), which attacked SPLM/A-IO (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition) positions from October 12 to October 16.[4] However, on October 20, the National Salvation (NAS) group accused the SPLM/A-IO, the primary non-government signatory, of preparing an attack on their forces in Yei River state.[5] The JMEC 30-day report claims the NAS is part of the SSOA-SWAKA group, but did not confirm the attack by the SPLM/A-IO. The Federal Democratic Party (FDP) accused the SPLM/A-IO of attacking their positions in the Upper Nile state, which the SPLM/A-IO denied.[6] The JMEC report similarly did not confirm this attack.
The CTSAMVM report on November 28 noted four ceasefire violation reports in November: two were reported by the SPLM/A-IO and two by the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF). There were two fatalities. In one case, the SSPDF accused the SPLA/M-IO of abducting two soldiers, which the SPLA/M-IO denied but promised to investigate.[7] Two further violations were noted in the body’s December 19 report, including “widespread SGBV (sexual/gender-based violence) in Bentiu area during November.” Although the report notes “the challenge of Armed Youth linked to the SPLA-IO and SSPDF in Bentiu,” it does not identify the affiliation of the perpetrators.[8]
The December 19 CTSAMVM report contained five allegations that the ceasefire was violated, including continued SGBV in Bentiu, as well as multiple incidents between the SPLA/M-IO and the SSPDF.[9] On December 18, the CTSAMVM reported that its monitoring team in Jubek state had been attacked and illegally detained by government forces.[10]
[1] “Status of implementation of R-ARCSS 2018,” Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, September 28, 2018.
[2] “South Sudan ceasefire mechanism holds board meeting in Khartoum,” Sudan Tribune, September 28, 2018.
[3] “South Sudan’s Kiir directs to abide by ceasefire agreement,” Sudan Tribune, September 25, 2018.
[4] “Progress report no. 2: Status of implementation of the R-ARCSS 2018,” Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, October 12, 2018.
[5] “Rebel group claims South Sudan ceasefire has been violated,” Voice of America, October 20, 2018.
[6] Ibid.
[7] “CTSAMVM technical committee fifth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, November 28, 2018.
[8] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) sixth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, December 19, 2018.
[9] Ibid.
[10] “South Sudanese forces attack ceasefire monitors: CTSAMVM,” Sudan Tribune, December 19, 2018.
Ceasefire – 2019
The ceasefire continued to hold in 2019. While the CTSAMVM (Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism) received occasional reports of violations against the SPLA/M-IO (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition) and the SSPDF (South Sudan People’s Defense Force), these were few and limited. In February, the SSPDF appeared to launch an offensive against a non-signatory, the National Salvation Front (NAS).[1] In April, the CTSAMVM reported further fighting between the SSPDF and the NAS.[2] In August, the CTSAMVM reported clashes between non-signatories in Aweil East, Raja and Yei River State.[3]
[1] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) eighth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, February 5, 2019.
[2] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) tenth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, April 26, 2019.
[3]29 “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) fourteenth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, September 5, 2019.
Ceasefire – 2020
The ceasefire continued to hold in 2020. While the CTSAMVM (Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism) received occasional reports of violations against the SPLA/M-IO and the SSPDF (South Sudan People’s Defence Forces), these were few and limited. In April, the CTSAMVM reported multiple instances of allegations of attacks involving the SSPDF and SPLM-IO forces. The CTSAMVM investigated the incidents and verified them. The CTSAMVM found both sides in violation of the agreement.[1] Intercommunal clashes and escalation of fighting involving the SSPDF/SPLA-IO and the National Salvation Front (NAS) were reported in Yei in the Equatoria in May.
[1] “Fighting in Maiwut County 7 to 11 April 2020,” CTSAMVM Report 2020/04, June 18, 2020.
Ceasefire – 2021
The ceasefire continued to hold in 2021. Meanwhile, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) received occasional reports of violations against the SPLM-IO and the SSPDF (South Sudan People’s Defence Forces). The CTSAMVM (Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism) reported attacks involving the SPLM-IO forces, and defected SPLM-IO members who joined the SSPDF. Clashes were reported in Upper Nile State, Jonglei State.[1] Nevertheless, the mechanism to address ceasefire related violations was up and running.
[1]On the Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (1 st January to 31 st March 2021). Report no. 010/21. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). 24 April, 2021; On the Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (1 st October to 31 st December 2021). Report no. 013/21. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). 24 April, 2021.
Ceasefire – 2022
Reports from the RJMEC (Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict), the CTSAMVM (Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism) and the UN Secretary General indicate the success of the permanent ceasefire arrangements negotiated in the agreement. However, there were reports of numerous ceasefire violations in Upper Nile and Unity States and the Equatorias that involved both the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) citing internal dynamics created by those who defected from SPLM/A-IO and their forces.[1] There are also reports of both forces continuing to occupy civilian centers, violating the ceasefire arrangements.
In July 2022, the United States withdrew its support to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), which severely limited the mechanism in its monitoring and verification of ceasefire related issues.[2]
[1] On the Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (1st January to 31st March 2022). Report no. 014/22. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC); On the Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (1st October to 31st December 2022). Report no. 017. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). Situation in South Sudan: Report of the Secretary General (S/2022/689), 13 September 2022.
[2] US Withdraws from Peace Monitoring Groups in South Sudan, Voice of America, 15 July 2022.
Ceasefire – 2023
In general, the ceasefire between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) held in 2023. Nevertheless, the CTSAMVM and RJMEC reports suggest clashes between these two armed forces in Eastern and Central Equatoria State, Upper Nile States, Tonga, and Unity State. Part of the reasons for the ceasefire violations were related to the defection of SPLM-IO forces under different generals and commanders. Nevertheless, the CTSAMVM, a mechanism in place to monitor and resolve ceasefire violation related issues, was functioning and stopping the conflagration of the violence.[1]
[1] RJMEC. 2023. On The Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Report No. 018/23 (April 2023), Report No. 019/23 (July 2023), Report No. 020/23 (October 2023), Report No. 021/23 (January 2024). RJMEC. 2024. On The Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Report No. 021/23 (January 2024). RJMEC. 2023. Five Year Progress Report on the Status of Implementation of the Revitilised Peace Agreement (Sept 2018 Dec 2023). December 2023.